Combined stop and holder mechanism



167 L. v. WHISTLER, 5R. EITAL 332,961

COMBINED STOP AND HOLDER MECHANISM Filed June 7, 1965 Y 2 Sheets-She t 1 June 27, 196'? v. WHISTLER, SR, ETAL 3,323,051

COMBINED STOP AND HOLDER MECHANISM Filed June 7, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet Z INVENTORS LAWRENCE V WH|$TLER,SI. LAWRENCE V. WHlSTLER,Jr.

. ATTO S.

United States Patent 3,328,061 COMBINED STOP AND HOLDER MECHANISM Lawrence V. Whistler, Sr., 259 Doncaster Road, and Lawrence V. Whistler, In, 251 Doncaster Road, both of Kenmore, NY. 14217 Filed June 7, 1965, Ser. No. 461,644 4 Claims. (Cl. 292-76) The present invention relates to new and novel combined stop and holder mechanism, and more particularly ot such mechanism for use in holding doors or similarly swingably mounted members in a desired position.

The present invention is particularly adapted for use with doors and the like which are equipped with automatic door closers. It is often designed to hold such doors in an open position such as when moving furniture therethrough, and it has been a common practice in the prior art to employ a wedge or other similar means for holding the door open.

The mechanism of the present invention is adapted not only to hold the door open but also to provide a bumper means which reduces the noise and impact when the door or the like is moved into holding position.

The apparatus of the present invention employs a novel arrangement wherein a first portion includes a projection which is swivelly mounted with respect to a supporting body means. A second portion of the mechanism includes a recess for receiving said projection, and holding means in the form of a substantially flat disc-like one-piece member formed of relatively rigid resilient material is provided, the inner area of this holding means defining a plurality of radially inwardly extending portions which are angularly spaced from one another to have a greater degree of flexibility and resiliency than the portions thereof which are disposed radially outwardly thereof.

The spaced portions of the inner area of the holding means define a hole which snugly receives the outer surface of the projection for retaining the projection within the holding means. This provides a positive holding force, and the arrangement of the present invention enables this holding force to be varied within wide limits by changing certain sizes and relative dimensions of the various parts.

This novel structure also enables the mechanism to be used many times without excessive wear occurring to the components and without breaking the members of the structure. The cooperating members are in fact of such a construction as to greatly exceed in performance the performance of prior art structures.

The swivel mounting of the projection also enables the parts to be accurately aligned where one portion of the mechanism is mounted upon a swingably mounted means such as a door or the like. In this manner, the interengaging portions can properly contact one another even though one of the portions of the mechanism travels in an arcuate path.

One portion of the mechanism is also provided with a resilient bumper means at the outer end thereof which is adapted to engage the other portion to cushion such interengagement and to substantially reduce the noise of such interengagement.

An object of the present invention is to provide new and novel combined stop and holder mechanism for use in holding doors and the like which are swingably mounted, and especially adapted for use with doors having automatic closers associated therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined stop and holder mechanism which will provide a positive holding force which can be varied within wide limits and which also provides a cushion stopping function.

A further object of the invention is the provision of combined stop and bolder mechanism which may be em- 3,3Z8fihi Patented June 27, 1967 ployed a great number of times without excessive wear and without breaking of the parts, and wherein accurate alignment of the portions of the mechanism is obtained where one of the portions travels in an arcuate path.

Still another object of the invention is to provide combined stop and holder mechanism which is quite simple and inexpensive in construction, and yet which is at the same time rugged and efiicient in operation.

ther objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will become more apparent when considered in connection with the specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a door structure illustrating the manner of use of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the stop and bolder mechanism shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the parts of FIG. 2 in cooperative engaged relationship;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a part of one of the portions of the apparatus prior to assembly thereof;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the manner in which the holding force can be varied;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a modified form of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along line lhlll of FIG. 9 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a door 10 which is connected with a door jamb 12 by means of a conventional hinge 14 so that the door is swingably mounted. A baseboard 16 extends laterally from the door jamb 12. A first portion 18 of the mechanism of the present invention is supported on the door and a second portion 20 of the mechanism of the present invention is supported upon the baseboard 16. It will be understood that members 18 and Zti can be reversed insofar as the mounting thereof is concerned.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the portion 18 includes a body means or base plate having a pair of sharply pointed pin members 32 pressed into suitable holes provided in the base plates, these sharply pointed pins being adapted to dig into the material of the associated door or the like for rigidly holding the base plate in position thereon. The base plate is also provided at spaced portions thereof with a pair of countersunk openings which receive wood screws 34 or other suitable attaching members for securing the base plate in position.

As seen particularly in FIG. 6, base plate 30 is provided with a swivel support means or seat which opens through the forward face 41 of the plate, and a raised portion 42 is provided preferably about the open portion of seat 40.

A projection indicated generally by reference numeral 46 is formed of a hardened material such as steel of approximately 60 Rockwell C Scale. This projection includes a rounded end portion 48 adapted to be positioned within seat 40, and the projection is provided with a generally cylindrical outer surface portion 50 which is tapered as indicated at 52 in FIG. 2 to its smallest dimension at the outermost end of the projection.

A V-shaped circumferentially extending groove 54 is provided completely around the projection, and when the rounded end portion 48 is disposed within the seat 40, the portion 42 is then crimped into the V-shaped groove 54 as indicated in FIG. 2 so as to hold the projection in place on the base plate 30 and yet permitting free swivel movement of the projection with respect to the base plate. This swivel movement enables the tapered projection to be accurately aligned with the other portion of the mechanism even though one of the portions is travelling in an arcuate path as they interengage with one another.

The other portion 20 of the mechanism includes a body means 60 having an enlarged base portion 62 having a pair of countersunk holes which receive suitable attaching members such as wood screws 64 for securing the body means in place on a suitable means such as the baseboard or the like.

The body means 60 may be formed of any suitable relatively rigid material such as steel, brass, plate or bronze and the like.

The body means is provided with an enlarged tapered outer end portion 70 which is provided with a recess 72 extending longitudinally thereof and disposed at the central part thereof, recess '74 being counterbored as indicated at 74 and being further counterbored as indicated at 76 to provide a stepped recess within this outer end portion.

A holding means is indicated generally by reference numeral 80 and is seated within the counterbored portion 76. The holding means is formed for example of tempered spring steel having a thickness of approximately .005 inch. This holding means is accordingly formed of a relatively rigid yet resilient material and comprises a flat, disc-like one-piece member.

Referring particularly to FIG. 5, the configuration of the holding means 80 may be seen most clearly. This holding means has an outer peripheral surface 82 of irregular configuration and which is generally smaller than the inner wall 78 of the body means. The holding means includes three spaced portions 84 which extend laterally outwardly of the remaining portions of the outer periphery of the holding means, portions 84 engaging the wall 78 for holding the holding means in proper cen tered relationship. The holding means is preferably a slip fit within the wall portion 78.

This inner area of the holding means is provided with a plurality of radially extending slots 86 which divide such inner area into a plurality of angularly spaced radially inwardly extending portions 88, the inner ends 90 of which define a circular area within which the cylindrical surface 50 of the projection is adapted to snugly fit. This central hole defined by the inner ends 90 of the portions 88 of the holding means is slightly undersized compared to the outer surface of the projection so as to snugly fit thereon.

In a typical example wherein the cylindrical portion 50 of the projection may have an outer diameter of .500 inch, the central hole defined Within the holding means for receiving this cylindrical surface may have a diameter of approximately .497 inch.

A retainer means 94 fits snugly within a wall portion 78 and is held in position as by being staked in as indicated by reference numeral 96. Retainer means 94 defines a central hole 98 which is slightly larger than the central hole defined by the inner surface portions of the holding means 30. The amount of holding force exerted by the holding means 80 can be regulated by changing the size of the hole 98 within the retainer means so as to control the reverse flex of the resilient inner portions of the holding means as hereinafter described in detail.

A bumper means 100 is formed of a suitable resilient material such as polyurethane or the like and may be held in place by a suitable adhesive substance such as epoxy resin or the like. This bumper means fits within the outer end of body means 60 as illustrated and is provided with a central hole 102 which is adapted to receive the projection 46 when the parts are in the cooperative holding relationship as seen in FIG. 4.

As mentioned previously, the holding power of the holding means can be varied by changing the inside diameter of retainer means 94. In addition, the inside diameter of the holding means can also be increased or decreased to change the holding power, and furthermore the thickness of the holding means can be increased or decreased as desired. It is apparent that a decrease in the inside diameter of the central hole provided through the holding means will serve to increase the holding power of the holding means, and an increase in the thickness of the holding means will also serve to increase the holding power. By suitably varying these different dimensions, the holding power can be varied through a range of from about 1 lb. to about 100 lbs. or more as desired.

When the projection is moved into the recess in the body means portion 70, as shown in FIG. 4, the holding means 80 is caused to move into the position shown in FIG. 4 wherein the resilient inner portions 88 thereof are flexed to the left as seen in this figure. It will be noted that in this position, the relatively sharp edge portion 81 of the inner surfaces 90 of flexible portions 88 engage the outer cylindrical surface 50 of the projection for retaining the projection in operative position. This interengagement of the inner flexible portions of the holding means and the outer surface of the projection will provide a positive holding force which prevents withdrawal of the projection until a predetermined force is applied thereto.

When it is desired to cause the projection to withdraw from the recess, the inner portions of the holding means Will again be flexed into an initial position wherein the over-all holding means is a flat disc-like member, and then the inner flexible portions will tend to flex in the opposite direction, or toward the right as seen in FIG. 4 as the projection is withdrawn. The retainer means 94 will limit the amount of flexing in a direction toward the right as seen in FIG. 4, and if the hole in the retainer means is only of a slightly greater diameter than the central hole defined through the holding means, no reverse flexing of the inner portions of the holding means will be permitted, and a very tight grip will be provided on the projection.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a modification is illustrated wherein the components are of the same general construction as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6 inclusive, and the same parts have been given similar reference numerals primed. The only difference in the modification shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is that the holding means 94' corresponding to holding means 94 previously described is provided with a central hole 98 of greater diameter than the hole 98 in the previously described modification.

With an enlarged hole provided in the retainer means as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, reverse flexing of the inner resilient portions 88 of the holding means is permitted, and this may be seen particularly in FIG. 8 wherein the reverse flexing of these inner portions is clearly visible as the projection 50' is withdrawn therefrom.

This reverse flexing which is permitted when employing a retainer means having a larger diameter hole therethrough afiords less gripping action on the projection and accordingly the holding force is diminished. It is accordingly apparent that variation in the size of the hole through the retainer means provides a ready means for varying the holding force of the mechanism.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings, a modification is illustrated wherein a portion 102 corresponds to the portion 26' illustrated previously, portion 102 being particularly adapted to be mounted upon a supporting surface 100 such as a floor or the like. This modification enables the portions to be mounted such that the recess thereof extends substantially parallel with the supporting surface rather than perpendicular thereto as Was the case in the previously described modifications.

Portion 102 comprises a body means including a main body portion 104 formed integral with a laterally extending portion 106 which in turn joins with a base portion 108 having countersunk holes therein receiving suitable attaching means such as wood screws 110 or the like.

A recess 114 extends through body portion 104 and may be counterbored in the same manner as the recess 72 discussed in connection with the previously described modifications.

A holding means 116 is provided, this holding means being substantially identical in construction with the holding means 80 previously described, the holding means being held in place by a retainer means 118 which is substantially identical with the retainer means 94.

The retainer means 118 may be suitably held in place as by being staked in as indicated by reference numeral 120.

Bumper means 122 is similar to bumper means 100 previously described and is formed of a suitable resilient material to perform its intended function.

It is apparent that the modification shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 will operate in substantially the same manner as the modifications previously described, and the portion Shown in FIGS. 9 and 10'is adapted to cooperate with a portion such as indicated by reference numeral 18 in the previous modifications.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there is provided according tothe present invention a combined stop and holder mechanism which is particularly adapted for use in holding doors and the like and mounted for swinging movement, and is especially suitable for use with doors having automatic closers connected therewith. The mechanism of the present invention provides a positive holding force which can be varied within relatively wide limits, and it also performs the secondary function of providing a cushion stop so as to reduce the noise and impact when one of the portions is moved into cooperative engagement with the other portion of the mechanism. The arrangement of the present invention enables the parts to be employed a great number of times Without excessive Wear or breaking of the parts and the swivel mounting of the projection permits accurate alignment of the parts where one of the portions of the mechanism travels in an arcuate path due to being mounted upon a swinga'bly supported means. The structure of the present invention is also quite simple and inexpensive in construction, yet is rugged and efiicient in operation.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the caims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims. We claim: 1. Combined stop and holder mechanism including a first portion and a second portion, one of said portions being adapted to be connected to a swingably mounted means, the other of said .portions being adapted to be connected to a reaction means, said first portion including a projection, said second portion defining a recess for recei ing said projection, holding means supported by said second portion and extending into said recess, said holding means being formed of relatively rigid resilient material and comprising a substantially flat disc-like means the inner area of which defines a plurality of spaced portions the inner surfaces of which are spaced to provide a central hole of slightly smaller dimension than the outer dimension of said projection whereby said holding means is adapted to flex in one direction for snugly receiving and holding said projection, retainer means supported by said second portion and having a hole formed therethrough of greater dimension than the hole defined by said inner surfaces of the holding means, said retainer means engaging said holding means to resist flexing of said holding means in an opposite direction to release 25 said projection whereby more force is required to release the projection from the holding means than is required to insert the projection through the hole in the holding means when the projection is moved into holding position.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 including bumper means formed of resilient material supported at the outer end of said second portion.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said projection includes an outer substantially cylindrical portion for engagement with and cooperation with said holding 35 means.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said first portion includes a body means, said projection being swivelly supported by said body means.

4 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,029,104 6/1912 Clark 28787 2,116,444 5/1938 Maier 1686 X 2,530,365 11/1950 Johnson et a1.

2,819,921 1/1958 Solari 2927O 3,228,717 1/1966 Waller et a1. 29270 3,243,836 4/1966 Reiss 292-70 X MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. EDWARD C. ALLEN, Examiner. J. R MOSES, Assistant Ea z mirter. 

1. COMBINED STOP AND HOLDER MECHANISM INCLUDING A FIRST PORTION AND A SECOND PORTION, ONE OF SAID PORTIONS BEING ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A SWINGABLY MOUNTED MEANS, THE OTHER OF SAID PORTIONS BEING ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A REACTION MEANS, SAID FIRST PORTION INCLUDING A PROJECTION, SAID SECOND PORTION DEFINING A RECESS FOR RECEIVING SAID PROJECTION, HOLDING MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID SECOND PORTION AND EXTENDING INTO SAID RECESS, SAID HOLDING MEANS BEING FORMED OF RELATIVELY RIGID RESILIENT MATERIAL AND COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT DISC-LIKE MEANS THE INNER AREA OF WHICH DEFINES A PLURALITY OF SPACED PORTIONS THE INNER SURFACES OF WHICH ARE SPACED TO PROVIDE A CENTRAL HOLE OF SLIGHTLY SMALLER DIMENSION THAN THE OUTER DIMENSION OF SAID PROJECTION WHEREBY SAID HOLDING MEANS IS ADAPTED TO FLEX IN ONE DIRECTION FOR SNUGLY RECEIVING AND HOLDING SAID PROJECTION, RETAINER MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID SECOND PORTION AND HAVING A HOLE FORMED THERETHROUGH OF GREATER DIMENSION THAN THE HOLE DEFINED BY SAID INNER SURFACES OF THE HOLDING MEANS, SAID RETAINER MEANS ENGAGING SAID HOLDING MEANS TO RESIST FLEXING OF SAID HOLDING MEANS IN AN OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO RELEASE SAID PROJECTION WHEREBY MORE FORCE IS REQUIRED TO RELEASE THE PROJECTION FROM THE HOLDING MEANS THAN IS REQUIRED TO INSERT THE PROJECTION THROUGH THE HOLE IN THE HOLDING MEANS WHEN THE PROJECTION IS MOVED INTO HOLDING POSITION. 